Top Things to do in Mendocino County
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What to do and see in Mendocino County, Mendocino County: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Mendocino County, United States including Mendocino Coast, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Hendy Woods State Park, Montgomery Woods State Reserve, B Bryan Preserve, Grace Hudson Museum, Nelson Family Vineyards, Russian Gulch State Park, Jughandle State Reserve, Van Damme State Park.
Restaurants in Mendocino County
1. Mendocino Coast
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 756 reviews
A scenic drive along California's Pacific coastline offering beaches, historic lighthouses and old-time fishing villages.
Reviewed By Martysfo - San Rafael, United States
Great cliffs, fog and quiet mark this coast. It is cold and chilly, even in August. Yet it is a must see so one can step back in time to how California used to be. A bonus is the trip up through the Anderson Valley Wine Region on the way to the coast from the Bay Area.
2. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,300 reviews
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens offers everything from colorful displays to thunderous waves. The mild maritime climate makes it a garden for all seasons, attracting gardeners and nature lovers. With manicured formal gardens, a dense coastal pine forest, native flora and habitats, fern-covered canyons, camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and conifers, heaths, heathers, and flower-filled coastal bluffs overlooking the blue ocean, the garden is a jewel on the Pacific Coast. Your visit is a show of support for our non-profit botanical garden and its mission!
Reviewed By Gardenxoe - Eureka, United States
We’ve never been disappointed by this garden. This time the rhododendrons were in full bloom and it was also a great time to see native wildflowers. We love the transition from beautiful display gardens to native plants (as you head to dramatic ocean overlook). Another good time to visit garden is in July/August, when the dahlias & heathers are blooming.
3. Hendy Woods State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 122 reviews
A great place to hike and camp among the Redwoods.
Reviewed By 310rayt - Maynard, United States
This is a nice spot if one wants convenient proximity of first growth Redwoods, easy hiking trails and access to the Navarro River. The river bank in summer is a nice place to read after hiking among the big trees.
4. Montgomery Woods State Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By karinitabonita - Elk Grove, United States
It’s about 3 miles long. Very tall and beautiful trees and a creek. Gorgeous views!! It was 16 of us ages 4 to 75. We all enjoyed it. Trees are just all different and beautiful to look at. Highly recommended if you’re in the area.
5. B Bryan Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 314 reviews
B Bryan Preserve is committed to the breeding and preservation of African hoof stock. Located on 110 acres, the preserve features upscale lodging along with tours by reservation. Critically endangered Rothschild Giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Hartmann's Mountain Zebra along with Kudu, Roan and Sable antelope are thriving in large open fields.Make us your base for discovering the Mendocino coast. The small town of Point Arena has a working pier on one end and a historic lighthouse on the other with African Hoof Stock in the middle.
Reviewed By DreamAndDiscover - Oakland, United States
We've been wanting to visit for years and finally had a chance. We took the VIP 10am tour with Zane, and had extended family from ages 72 to 9. We all thoroughly enjoyed learning about the animals, riding in the vintage Land Rover and feeding the giraffes. Zane is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the animals and our elementary school age daughters were impressed that he could answer all but one of their numerous questions! We were really fortunate to have traveled to Kenya for a safari - seeing the animals again brought back wonderful memories. This preserve is well organized and well kept. Highly recommend a visit to this wonderful preserve!
6. Grace Hudson Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 78 reviews
FOR PUBLIC SAFETY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. The Grace Hudson Museum offers exhibitions and programs on regional fine art; the artwork and legacy of early California painter Grace Carpenter Hudson (1865-1937); exquisite examples of Pomo Indian basketry; and various aspects of local, state, and American history. Serving the public since 1978, the campus includes the historic Sun House, a 1911 Craftsman bungalow that was Grace Hudson’s home and studio for over 25 years. Now a living museum, the Sun House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the prestigious national Historic Artists Homes and Studios program. The museum's newest feature is the Wild Gardens, an outdoor educational environment focusing on native Northern California plants and habitats. The museum’s gift shop features culturally distinctive gifts, including art prints, jewelry, cards, baskets and many other seasonal items.
Reviewed By E7385UBlauraf
This museum is a treasure. Not only does it have a fabulous collection of Pomo baskets and original artwork by Grace Hudson, the famous early 20th century painter of local Pomo people, but there is always a fascinating (frequently unrelated) exhibit in the main gallery. A bonus is a recently created wild garden which features a large expanse of native plantings that creates a beautiful setting for a reed canoe and woven fish trap sculpture.
7. Nelson Family Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 100 reviews
One of the most beautiful family owned ranches in Mendocino County. Over 2000 acres with spectacular views of the vineyards, Bartlett pear orchards, Olive Trees, Redwood Grove, and 200 year old Oaks makes this one of the most desired stops for wine and nature enthusiasts. We invite you to visit our tasting room where you can experience the passion you will only find in a family owned boutique winery.
Reviewed By mikheil_a - San Jose, United States
This winery and tasting room hit all the right notes on all aspects including quality of wine, food and service. The views of the hills are also spectacular from the outdoor seating area of the tasting room. This is not your typical massive, noisy, overly crowed Napa tasting room. It's more of a private (but open to all), quieter, and much more relaxing winery instead. I can't wait to go back.
8. Russian Gulch State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 291 reviews
This park's view of the Mendocino headlands is enhanced by a spectacular array of wildflowers.
Reviewed By barfiemermaid - Costa Mesa, United States
Main trail to the falls is closed so we had to take the north trail which adds a few more miles. We did almost 11 miles with altitude. It was a beatiful hike almost completely shaded. The cliffs on the north side was gorgeous as well as the sink hole!
9. Jughandle State Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
This reserve is famous for its Staircase Trail
Reviewed By okayaway - Benicia, United States
great views on the ocean and hills. easy to find off of highway 1 and a few great easy hikes out to the ocean cliffs.
10. Van Damme State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
Picturesque spot known for its Pygmy Forest of small trees and Fern Canyon.
Reviewed By paulmU4660DC - Walnut Creek, United States
Hike beside the Fern Canyon Creek from the Van Damme Visitor Center to the Pygmy Forest Natural Preserve. The trail, originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, crosses over the creek on 10 bridges. The trail follows the Creek up to the Pygmy Forest, but it's not a strenuous climb. The Pygmy Forest has a guided boardwalk explaining why the forest trees species are different from the flora and fauna in the Canyon.
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